Herbs

The plant sold as the “mosquito plant” is pennyroyal, and the most honest answer to what its health benefits are is an uncomfortable one: they’re mostly historical, mostly unproven, and …

The ipecac plant (Carapichea ipecacuanha) was once the source of a syrup that millions of parents kept on a high shelf in case a child swallowed something dangerous. That advice …

The Celts and Romans have cultivated the cabbage plant for centuries, the vegetable par excellence. Cabbage has been used for more than two thousand years as a food as well …

Eat the fruit. Be careful with everything else. That is the honest summary. The ripe fruit of the papaya plant is a genuinely good food — one of the better …

The European centaury plant was used to heal the foot of Chiron the centaur, a mythical being, half man and half horse inflicted by the legendary Hercules. This plant is …

Before the arrival of Colombus, ancient Mexican people used the wormseed plant thanks to its many medicinal properties. Its leaves and flowers have a strong scent due to the essential …

The chicory plant is a gift for people who love to walk. Until mid-summer roadsides retain the sky blue color of chicory flowers, contrasting with the golden landscape. The plant …

The Chinese already knew about the cinnamon tree as far back as 2500 B.C. it was just as valuable as gold. The Ancient Egyptians also used it for embalming mummies. …

The blessed thistle plant has been given the name of “holy” or “blessed” thistle, probably due to its many medicinal properties and generally its properties against the plague. However, it …

The Asarum plant has been used since the time of the Roman Empire. Pliny the Elder mentioned this plant in his writings due to its emetic properties. However, it has …